tvN's 'Seocho-dong' Explores the Real Lives of Salaryman Lawyers

In a world where courtroom heroes are scarce, the new tvN drama 'Seocho-dong' (서초동) prioritizes the everyday struggles of salaryman lawyers over lofty ideals of justice. Set to premiere on July 5, the series, written by Lee Seung-hyun and directed by Park Seung-woo, follows the lives of five associate lawyers who commute daily to the Seocho-dong legal district. While the setting is a courtroom, the characters' challenges revolve around the universal themes of making a living rather than life-and-death stakes.

During the production press conference held on July 1 at The Link Hotel in Yeongdeungpo, PD Park Seung-woo described 'Seocho-dong' as a warm drama that depicts associate lawyers working like regular employees, balancing their dreams with daily life. He emphasized that this series offers a more relatable take compared to traditional courtroom dramas.

Lee Jong-suk returns to the small screen as Ahn Joo-hyung, a nine-year veteran associate lawyer. He remarked, "Most legal dramas focus on the pursuit of justice, but 'Seocho-dong' tells a story about survival. It's refreshing to see a slice-of-life drama like this." He also expressed his enjoyment of working with fellow actor Kang Yoo-seok, highlighting the cast as a significant strength of the show.

Moon Ga-young plays the empathetic lawyer Kang Hee-ji, sharing her excitement about portraying a character with a profession for the first time. She noted the extensive dialogue and research involved but found it rewarding, especially since the writer is a practicing lawyer, allowing her to ask questions directly.

Kang Yoo-seok humorously commented on his return to portraying a professional role, stating, "I guess I look reliable enough for these roles." He added that 'Seocho-dong' is not a rigid or dramatic courtroom series but rather a portrayal of natural everyday life. He credited the director and fellow actors for the show's warmth.

Ryu Hye-young, who previously played a future lawyer in 'Law School,' expressed her honor in taking on the role of a real lawyer this time, enjoying the filming experience.

Im Sung-jae plays the pragmatic lawyer Ha Sang-ki, who brings comic relief to the series. He shared his joy in finally portraying a character with a profession, stating, "I was thrilled to play a lawyer. The script was engaging and fun, making me eager to be part of it. Comfort is the essence of our drama."

'Seocho-dong' focuses on the lives of salaryman lawyers who prioritize their personal lives over a sense of mission or justice. Unlike the dramatic and glamorous courtroom dramas, it aims to capture the joys and sorrows of everyday life in Seocho-dong. Notably, the script is penned by a writer with real-life legal experience, adding authenticity to the narrative.

This series naturally draws comparisons to last year's hit SBS drama 'Good Partner,' which was also written by a practicing divorce lawyer, Choi Yoo-na, and received praise for its realistic case structures and vivid details.

However, 'Good Partner' was more of a well-crafted genre piece centered around cases, with clear emotional arcs and conflict structures, creating dramatic tension and engagement for viewers. The themes of 'justice' and 'emotional satisfaction' were key points for the audience.

In contrast, 'Seocho-dong' embraces a unique genre of legal slice-of-life, focusing on character development and relationship dynamics rather than just cases. The cast collectively described the show as a story about survival, a comfortable watch, and a narrative close to reality. Lee Jong-suk confidently stated, "In a time when people seek dopamine, this drama offers a comfortable viewing experience."

As 'Seocho-dong' prepares to air, it will be interesting to see how it compares to the successful 'Good Partner' when it debuts on July 5 at 9:20 PM.